This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/state/ for current information. |
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Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues United States Representative; District 48 | |||||
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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Economy and Jobs,
Health Care,
Energy Policy,
National Security,
Immigration Reform
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
Answer from Suzanne Joyce Savary:
We need comprehensive financial reforms to grow a strong economy, increase employment and rebuild our middle class. A robust and fair financial system will allow for greater economic growth, which provides the basis for much of our national security.
Answer from Suzanne Joyce Savary:
The insurance reform changed the way we buy insurance. Some of the changes enacted ensured that insurance companies may no longer charge higher premiums or deny coverage for pre-existing conditions such as being born female. (Previously women were charged 3 to 15% higher premiums than men.) Additionally, parents could continue to cover their children until age 26, insurance companies could no longer sell `junk policies' which covered so little and had out of pocket maximums so high that one hospital stay could bankrupt a family.
The Medicaid expansion increased eligibility levels to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level ($23,550 for a family of four). Since every State covers those who have no income, expansion almost exclusively covers the working poor and their families.
The federal mandate requires that individuals have basic health care coverage or face a penalty of $97 per year per adult and $47.50 per year per child or 1% of the family annual income, whichever is greater. (No penalty is assessed to families whose taxable income is below 133% of the federal poverty level.
Of these three foundations the only one with which I have an issue is the individual mandate. I believe that we can be more effective by offering incentives for obtaining coverage rather than enacting penalties for those who do not.
There is no question that legislation like this was needed and the fact that over 8 million Americans have signed on to the exchanges to purchase insurance shows response to this groundbreaking legislation was as favorable as anticipated.
Answer from Suzanne Joyce Savary:
Answer from Suzanne Joyce Savary:
Answer from Suzanne Joyce Savary:
Streamlining legal immigration:
This legislation would provide visas to foreign entrepreneurs creating new businesses here, helps the most promising foreign graduate students in math and science legally stay in this country after graduation, and reunites families in a timely and humane manner.
Earned Citizenship and Accountability:
Undocumented immigrants must be held accountable and this legislation does that by requiring they pass background checks, pay taxes and a penalty, go to the back of the line, learn English and pass a test on American history and civics. It requires everyone to play by the same rules.
Cracking Down on Unscrupulous Employment practices:
We need to stop unscrupulous employers from gaming the system by knowingly hiring undocumented workers. The legislation stalled in congress holds these companies accountable, and gives employers who want to play by the rules a reliable way to verify that their employees are here legally.
Strengthen Border Security:
The proposal gives law enforcement the tools they need to make our communities safer from crime, enhances our infrastructure and technology, and strengthens our ability to remove criminals and apprehend and prosecute threats to our national security.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page. |